SECOND AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 24

SECOND AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT.

Lord Roberts was accorded a splendid ovation at Waterloo station and at Southampton. The Prince of Wales and the Dukes of Cambridge and Connaught were present at Waterloo. Lord Roberts remarked that the outburst of patriotism was a good omen for success. Lord Chesham (late 16th Lancers) has enrolled 8000 men for the Yeomanry Corps. Several members of the British peerage are joining as privates. The Spectator advocates the mobilisation of the navy, and the formation of a territorial army of 100,000 men, the latter to be composed of men who have seen service. It further advocates the making of large purchases of artillery, with the object of deterring any interference, upon the part of foreign Powers, in the Transvaal. December 25. Dr Leyds, in the course of an interview, said the Boers would not accept mediation unless on the basis of a status better than the former one. They must have internal and external independence. Seventy thousand pounds have been subscribed to equip the Lord Mayor's Volunteers, who will be under the command of Colonel Mackinnon. WASHINGTON, December 25.' Mr Hay, Secretary of State, is inquiring into the British seizure of a vessel laden with American flour for Delagoa Bay, on the plea that it was contraband of war. It is probable the consignors will be quickly compensated. MELBOURNE, December 20. A number of Mr Chirnside's horses having been found unsuitable, that gentleman has given a substantial cheque to buy others. SYDNEY, December 20. The Legislative Council agreed to the sending of more troops to the Transvaal without any discussion and amid cheers. The Government are arranging to send a battery by train to Melbourne in time to ct.tch the steamer Devon. The others will get away between January 1 and 10. Numbers of horses are being donated. Mr Lyne has cabled Mr Chamberlain that the Australian colonies can offer the Imperial Government about 1000 mounted infantry. New Soutli Wales is also sending a batteiy and half a field hospital. The battery will leave before the end of the year, and the balance about the first week in January. The Caledonian Society, Broken Hill, passed a vote of sympathy with the Highland Brigade, and voted £50 in aid of the families of those killed. December 23. - A letter received from an Australian business house at Durban, written a month ago, states that 1000 German and 1500 French officers are assisting the Boers. They estimate there are over 60,000 Boers, including Natal and Cape Colony disloyalists, in the field. It is also stated that the general opinion was _ that the British officers considered themselves too " cocksure." BRISBANE, December 20. Mr Phillips gave notice of motion in favour of sending 160 officers and men to thj Transvaal. ADELAIDE, December 20. The Legislative Council adopted Ihe motion to send a second contingent amid cheers. The Assembly has unanimously agreed to send additional troops. The Premier estimated the cost would be about £13,000. Colonel Gordon, the commandant, goes to South Africa as a special officer. The Government have offered his services to chc other colonies.

MELBOURNE, December 21. The Government have chartered the Euryalus to convey troops to Soi&h MiiWxl

Decembei 23. . . Mr W. T. Jones, member of the Stock Exchange,- has cabled 200 guineas from London to the local patriotic fund. SYDNEY, December 21. It has been arranged to despatch th'i Warrigal with a batteiy by the 29th insfc. In reply to Mr Lyne's inquiry "whether 1 . New Zealand would join in sending a second contingent, Mr Seddon- wired that? prior to the receipt of Mr Lyne's cable New Zealand had decided to send one, bub although not acting conjointly with Australia, it was gratifying to find that we were together in standing by the Empire in! the emergency that had arisen. The Premier has received a cable from Mi- Chamberlain notifying grateful acceptance of troops. The Bourke Carrying Company have offered the Government 200 camels and 30, attendants for transport purposes in the Transvaal. Several of the attendants accompanied Lord Roberts's famous march to Kandahar. December 22. • Including a battery, the New South" Wales second contingent' numbers 710 men. and 30 officers. The Southern Cross takes 500 men and the majority of the horses, whilst the Surrey will take the balance* Arrangements are also being made that tha latter ship shall take the Tasmanian, Soutli Australian, and West Australian contingents. The Queensland force will be shipped by the Maori King. All three are expected to leave about the 15th January. Thc'colony will probably send a detachment of bushmen and roughriclers, who are excellent shols. It is understood the second contingent will be styled the Australian Federal Brigade. December 23. 1 Remarkable enthusiasm is being shown throughout all the colonies. The second contingent authorities are besieged with volunteers and with offers to raise troops of rough-riders and sharpshooters. Contributions to the patriotic fund are flowing in. • Yesterday the Cabinet considered the details of the second contingent, and decided to despatch a battalion by the Warrigal on Saturday. They accepted Colonel Mackay's offer to raise a complete squadron of Australian Horse, and send six doctors with the contingent, besides the two who have already volunteered their services ; also, in deference to the views recently expressed in the Assembly with regard to the insufficient supply of small arms in the colony, to cable to the Agent-general to obtain 4000 Lee-Enfield magazine .303 rifles and three million rounds of cordite cari tridges. / The Langton Grange has reached Cape-t town with the New South Wales troops', they were forwarded to De Aar on the 21st., December 25. After the despatch of the next contingent; the Government intend to keep 700 or 800 men in camp, under continuous training, in the event of its being necessary to/sendt more troops. Feeling is running high in Broken Hill , between the British and the pro-Boer sec-^ tions of the community. One hundred and fifty Britishers attacked the German Club to-chiy in consequence of manifestations o£ sympathy with the Boers. The police drew, their revolvers, preventing damage to the club. ADELAIDE, December 21. The Government are receiving numerous offers of horses for the contingent. Mr Barr-Smith, a prominent merchant, has given £1000 to purchase .horses for the -local men. - - , In the Assembly, a member asked whether the Government would ..find' out who sent the villainous telegram with reference to

the capture of Ladysmith. The Government regarded the matter as serious, and ■will make inquiries. December 22. i The mayor has cabled £1000 to the Lord Mayor of London, being the colonj-'i first contribution to the Mansion House war relief fund. , j BRISBANE, December 21. In the Legislative Assembly the resolution to send 160 men to the Transvaal was adopted amid great enthusiasm. The Pre- ' mier estimated the cost at about £15,000. | 1 The Assembly sanctioned the despatch of troops, amid cheers. December 22. Messrs Stewart and Hammunt, two wellknown resident?, have donated £500 each towards the contingent. PERTH, December 22. A public meeting decided to offer the Imperial Government 30 nurses free of charge. There was a member of the Assembly i amongst the volunteers for the war, but lie failed to pass the chest measurement. HOBART, December 22. , Mr Chamberlain ha? accepted the offer of the additional troops.